Pewter Green → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Sherwin Williams Pewter Green (SW 6208), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Pewter Green
If you love Sherwin Williams Pewter Green but need a Valspar alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Valspar, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Pewter Green (SW 6208) is a dark green with dark sage green undertones. A dark, moody sage green. Deeper than Evergreen Fog, more green than Online. A sophisticated dark green that captures the feeling of a deep forest on an overcast day. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 16) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Pewter Green and every Valspar color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Valspar option is Tidal Basin (VR091A) with a Delta E of 3.7, which is a "good match" level match. Tidal Basin is the closest Valspar option at LRV 17. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Pewter Green
Tidal Basin is the closest Valspar option at LRV 17. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Pewter Green | Tidal Basin | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 16 | 17 |
| Hex | #7F8980 | #788C90 |
| Undertone | Dark Sage Green | Medium Teal-Blue |
| Family | Green | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Pewter Green has dark sage green undertones. A dark, moody sage green. Deeper than Evergreen Fog, more green than Online. A sophisticated dark green that captures the feeling of a deep forest on an overcast day.
Tidal Basin has medium teal-blue undertones. A medium-dark teal-blue with gray undertones. Deeper than Beach House, more blue than green. Named for the reflecting pool, it carries that same still, reflective quality.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Pewter Green's dark sage green quality may read differently than Tidal Basin's medium teal-blue character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Pewter Green in Your Room
In bright light, distinctly green and earthy. In dim rooms, it approaches a dark gray-green. The depth makes it dramatic on accent walls and exteriors. Beautiful with brass and warm woods.
Tidal Basin in Your Room
In bright light, the teal-blue character is rich and distinctive. In dim rooms, the gray mutes it into a sophisticated dark neutral. Under warm light, it feels moody and inviting.
LRV and Brightness
Pewter Green has an LRV of 16, while Tidal Basin has an LRV of 17. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Pewter Green
Sherwin Williams recommends Pewter Green for: accent wall, exterior, kitchen cabinets, front door, office. With an LRV of 16, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Tidal Basin is recommended for: accent wall, bedroom, office, bathroom, dining room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Tidal Basin in the same rooms you planned for Pewter Green.
Pewter Green in Other Brands
Looking for Pewter Green equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Pewter Green (SW 6208) is Tidal Basin (VR091A) with a Delta E of 3.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Tidal Basin is the closest Valspar option at LRV 17. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Pewter Green is a Sherwin Williams color with dark sage green undertones and an LRV of 16. Tidal Basin is a Valspar color with medium teal-blue undertones and an LRV of 17. With a Delta E of 3.7, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 3.7, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Valspar equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Valspar. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Valspar work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.